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APRM SUPPORT MISSION IN SUDAN

The APRM undertook a Country Support Mission in Sudan from 30 September to 4 October 2012, led by Ambassador Ashraf Rashed, member of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons.

The Support Mission Team comprised representatives of the Strategic Partners of the APRM, Ms. Zemenay Lakew from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Africa, Ms. Hodane Youssouf from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Mr. Elthair Yousif A Bashir from the African Development Bank (AfDB) Office in Khartoum, as well as Mr. Ferdinand Katendeko, Coordinator of the Sudan review process and Mr. Dalmar Jama, both representing the APRM Secretariat.

The Mission assessed processes and mechanisms set up by Sudan for its self-assessment and the drafting of the National Programme of Action subsequently. In this regard, meetings were held with officials, various stakeholders and the African Ambassadors accredited to Sudan.

The APRM Mission had a first meeting with Dr. Ibrahim Dagash, the APRM Focal Point liaising between the APR teams and the national government. During the meeting, The APRM delegation stressed the need to establish a National Governing Council comprising representatives of all relevant stakeholder groups, and discussed further steps to be undertaken in the process, including a road map for implementation of the APRM at the national level, and an APRM Research Plan proposed to Sudan APRM Focal Point for consideration.

The Support Mission Team then met with Members of the National Assembly. The Lead Panel Member emphasized the role of Parliament and underlined the need for a common effort to submit a country report accepted by all the stakeholders as one of the advantages of parliamentary participation.

The third round of meetings was held with officials of the Government. Ambassador Ashraf Rashed stressed the key responsibility of the various government departments to contribute towards the implementation of policies aimed at mainstreaming the APRM National Programme of Action in the National Development Plan.

Other meetings were held with stakeholders including Civil Society Organizations representing youth, women and entrepreneurs of Sudan.

The major landmark in the mission was certainly the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Technical Assessment Missions between the Republic of Sudan and the APRM, which took place during a courtesy call paid by Ambassador Ashraf Rashed. H.E. Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, signed the MOU on behalf of his country, thereby making Sudan the 19th African country to sign an MOU with APRM.

A workshop will be held in Sudan in the very near future to sensitize all the stakeholders.